200 protest at court against sangoma’s bail
ABOUT 200 people including children picketed outside the Flagstaff Magistrate’s Court yesterday opposing bail for a sangoma who allegedly raped three young girls left in his care.
The suspect, who cannot be named until he has pleaded, was allegedly tasked with healing the girls, aged between nine and 13, from different ailments.
The public gallery was packed to capacity as people jostled to get a view of the sangoma, who cut a lonely figure in the dock.
Those unable to squeeze into the court peered through windows to get a glimpse of him.
The parents of the victims were angry when they saw him. They said they had referred their children to the man after they could not be helped at a local hospital.
“Look how old he is,” said one. “We entrusted him with our children, we trusted that he was going to heal them, our hearts are bleeding. He must rot in jail.”
Magistrate Malizo Mjokovana postponed the matter to May 27 for a formal bail application and the suspect was remanded in custody.
Police yesterday said they would add two more charges of rape.
The man was arrested on Thursday last week after one of his alleged victims refused to go back to his home.
The young girls had been entrusted into his care for healing purposes, but he allegedly raped one of them in front of others.
It is further alleged he would force them to touch his genitals.
The children are from various villages in Lusikisiki and Flagstaff.
They were taken to the sangoma after their parents and grandparents believed they had been bewitched.
Thabo Mbeki township police forum chairman and protest organiser Mvuselelo Hlathi said the suspect had told parents that his ancestors had instructed him to sleep with the children in order to remove the demons inside their private parts.
Mgwaba said about 10 children had been removed from the man’s care since his arrest.
Police spokesman Captain Mduduzu Godlwana said the crimes had been committed between April and May 15.
“It is expected that when he reappears in court a further two charges will be added to the three,” said Godlwana. “We would like to plead with parents to always ensure the safety of their children.”
The state has already indicated it would oppose bail. A petition with about 100 signatories was also handed to the court calling for bail to be denied. —